Applying for a grant

Our vision is Enhanced Lives.

We work to achieve that by providing grants to support the hundreds of community organisations which help make Auckland and Northland great places to live.

We want it to make it simple to apply, so here is what you need to know:

Quick Response Grants - Under $25,000
Quick Response Grants are designed to meet your funding needs quickly and easily. When you apply for a Quick Response Grant we aim to give you a decision within two months of receiving a complete application.

Community Grants - Over $25,000
Community Grants help community organisations with larger funding needs, and can be multi-year grants. When you apply for a Community Grant, we aim to give you a decision within five months of receiving a complete application.

We want our grants to support services, programmes and events that will enhance the lives of people in our communities. As a strategic grantmaker, looking to contribute towards better outcomes for present and future generations, we want our support to have impact in four key focus areas. From 1 April 2020 our funding decisions will be focused on:

Ngā Hua | Our Focus Areas:

Hāpai te ōritetanga | Increased Equity

Equity means that everyone in society is valued the same and has the same access to opportunities. An equitable society is one that is fair, without bias and where all people can thrive on their own terms.

We want to improve equity in our communities now and for future generations. We do this by supporting priority communities across our region to decide what they need, lead their own solutions and achieve their hopes and dreams.

Our priority communities are Māori and Pacific Peoples, as well as the wider communities of Northland and South Auckland. We also prioritise solutions that place children and young people at the centre.

We support activity that will lead to:

• Thriving tamariki, rangatahi and whānau
• Improved equity and wellbeing as Māori and as Pacific peoples
• Communities leading their own solutions and changing systems
• Tangata whenua as partners in decision making
• Māori and Pacific languages and cultures thriving

Whakauru mai | Social Inclusion

Social inclusion means that everyone feels valued and included as part of our society, can access opportunities and influence decisions that affect them.

We support approaches that reduce discrimination and racism and increase social inclusion. Former refugees, new migrants (fewer than five years in New Zealand), rainbow communities and people living with a disability are our priority.

We support activity that will lead to:

• Greater sense of belonging, acceptance and inclusion
• Inclusive laws and policies
• Equal access to opportunity
• Self-determination and influencing decision making
• Meaningful participation in society by diverse communities

Whakahou taiao | Regenerative Environment

A regenerative environment approach supports a deeper understanding of the relationship between people and Te Taiao (the environment).

We support joined-up approaches to conserving, restoring and renewing the environment so that Te Taiao and people can flourish together. Initiatives proposed by tangata whenua are our priority.

We support activity that will lead to:

• Ecosystems and communities being renewed and regenerated
• Mātauranga Māori (indigenous knowledge, practices and approaches) being recognised, valued and implemented
• Tino rangatiratanga – community-led action for Te Taiao
• Connection and access to Te Taiao

Hāpori awhina | Community Support

Participation in positive activities improves community wellbeing.

We will support activity that will lead to:

• Communities coming together and social connection
• Access to and participation in community activities and spaces
• Increased skills and creativity
• Community pride
• Community resilience

Who can apply?

To be considered for funding your organisation needs to be:

• able to demonstrate charitable purpose. This can be fulfilled by:
  - an organisation being a registered organisation – charitable trust, incorporated society, Marae, Statutory Body, Branch of an organisation, registered under an Act of Parliament, registered under relevant legislation or a Company with charitable status.
  - an organisation applying under the umbrella of a registered charitable organisation who will ensure that any grant is used for charitable purposes and that no private or individual gain is generated. Note: This will not exclude the umbrella organisation from applying for its own purpose within the 12-month timeframe.
  - funding being approved via a contract for services grant to unregistered organisations, companies or individuals directly, that specifies how the funds will be applied for charitable purposes
  
• able to provide us with annual accounts
• providing a service, project or programme of benefit to the communities of Auckland and/or Northland 

When can you apply?

You can submit your application at a time of year that suits you - there are no closing dates for our Quick Response or Community Grants.
However, please note:

• If you are applying for an event, submit your application at least six months before the event date.
• We do not fund retrospectively.
• If you are applying for a Community Grant, we have six decision meetings a year.
• Applications can be submitted at any time, and because we do not consider urgent or retrospective applications, we recommend that you submit your request at least five months before you need the grant.
• An organisation is generally not able to receive more than one grant in a 12-month period. Exceptions will be made, on a case-by-case basis, for organisations providing an umbrella function, where there is a demonstrated and urgent need for additional support or where flexibility in timelines are needed for organisations in transition or organisations engaged in prototyping.
• Applications should not be submitted less than 10 months from the date of your last grant approval.
• Please contact us if you are planning a funding request for a capital building project (over $100,000). We will be accepting new Expressions of Interest for community building projects in 2024.